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Valero (1238), Meraux
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 152761 |
| State Police # | 13-05430 |
| Accident Date | 2013-12-08 |
| Report Date | 2013-12-13 |
| Follow-up Date | 2014-02-06 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Slop Oil | 40m | flange on crude slop line | NO | NO | NO | 84.0 gallons |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket
On December 8, 2013, a leak was discovered on a flange on a crude slop line in a ground level pipe rack. Valero has determined the root cause of this release to be an improperly tightened flange. Over time, the bolts securing the flange had become loose, allowing the flange faces to separate, and materials to be released. A Reportable Quantity was exceeded but no emergency condition existed. No material escaped beneath the immediate pipe rack. Due to the small size of the spill and cool temperatures, volatilization was negligible.
Discharge Preventable - Yes
Notes/Remedial Actions
The leaking flange was tightened, stopping the release. Valero has since inspected the rest of this length of piping, and is working to correct any deficiencies noted in the inspection report. A vacuum truck was dispatched to remove the oil and water beneath the pipe rack. Recovered liquids were transferred within the refinery for separation and treatment and the contaminated soil was moved to a roll off bin for off-site disposal.
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